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Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, in the Legislative Council today (March 27):
Question:
I have recently received quite a number of complaints from members of the public that some people often burn waste illegally on rural land. The large amount of thick fumes released by such activities has caused great nuisance to residents in the vicinity, and some residents are worried that the fumes are hazardous to health. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the number of complaints received by the authorities in each of the past three years about people burning waste illegally on rural land;
(b) among the cases in (a), of the respective numbers of those in which the people involved were prosecuted and convicted; and
(c) whether the authorities will consider improving the existing policies and stepping up law enforcement actions to eradicate illegal burning of waste; if they will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
(a) & (b) In respect of illegal burning of waste on rural land, the number of complaints received by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the number of prosecution and conviction cases in the past three years are as follows:
Year 2010 2011 2012
---- ---- ---- ----
Number of complaints 81 cases 76 cases 88 cases
Number of prosecutions 5 cases 5 cases 3 cases
Number of convictions 5 cases 5 cases 2 cases
(c) Since the Air Pollution Control (Open Burning) Regulation commenced operation in 1996, open burning of construction waste, tyres, as well as open burning at construction sites or for salvage of scrap metal are prohibited. Under other special circumstances where open burning has to be carried out, a permit is required from EPD.
Under the said Regulation, the maximum fine is $50,000 on first conviction, plus $500 for every 15 minutes for which the offence continues. On subsequent convictions, the maximum penalties include a fine of $50,000 and 3-month imprisonment, plus $500 for every 15 minutes for which the offence continues.
We take note continually the effectiveness of the existing regulation and policy. Currently, illegal waste burning cases generally involve small amounts of waste and are conducted at different or remote locations sporadically. We consider that at present there is no need to amend the said Regulation. EPD will suitably allocate its resources as needed to track down and prosecute offenders in order to combat illegal waste burning practice.
Ends/Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:59
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